Novel fibre value chains and ecosystem services from sustainable feedstocks (FIBSUN)

The goal of the project FIBSUN is the creation of an overarching value chain for fibres from defined, previously unused sustainable raw materials. The produced goods are insulation boards from cattail and reed, textile yarn from artichoke thistle, fibre-reinforced concrete from poplar and non-woven insulation materials as well as materials for composites in automotive construction from hemp. The bioeconomy of rural areas will be stimulated by including otherwise unused marginal land and previously unexploited fibre biomass.

Additionally, the access to new fibre biomass is going to improve the resilience of local supply chains and production systems. For the industrial use of fibre raw material from previously unexploited plant biomass, it is necessary to develop new processes. This will also stimulate local industrial competitiveness. All steps will be evaluated on their ecological and economic performance. These goals are to be reached by multidisciplinary approaches and by involving all possible stakeholders. In this manner, the project will deliver solutions for sustainable land use as well as the creation of new industrial processes and business models.

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum supports the consortium of 16 international partners with the analysis of the economic feasibility and ecological efficiency of the possible value chains created by the project. This includes the creation of business plans, research on marketability and technology watch.

Further information:

• Project name/acronym: Novel fibre value chains and ecosystem services from sustainable feedstocks/FIBSUN
• Funding institution: European Commission, Circular Biobased Europe Joint Undertaking
• Funding budget for all partners: 4,49 million Euro
• Participating countries: Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom
• Project duration: 06/2023 – 05/2027